Committees
Olympia Office
316 Legislative Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0443
(360) 786-7628
District Office
5031 University Way NE, Rm 212
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: (206) 729-3200
Fax: (206) 729-3201
Local Governments
We're all in this together
The official blog of Senate Democratic Leader
Ed Murray
“The country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” -FDR
Sen. Murray: “The Legislature’s focus should be on the budget, the budget, and only the budget.” 6/11/2013
Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray, D-Seattle, issued the following statements today regarding the status of budget talks with Senate Republicans on this final day of the first special session:
Our constitutional obligation as lawmakers is to pass a budget. We havent done that, and thats why were in special session. The Legislatures focus should be on the budget, the budget, and only the budget.
Ed Murray on SB 5927: “The history books are closed on this issue” 4/26/2013
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, issued this statement regarding the introduction of SB 5927, the so-called "right to refuse" bill that would allow business owners to deny service to gay and other customers because of personal objections:
"This bill represents a pathetic attempt to undo basic civil rights protections that were enshrined in law well before the gay and lesbian movement even started.
Senate majority blocks vote on RPA, Dream Act 4/16/2013
Today the Senate majority caucus showed its unwillingness to even allow a vote on two bills with support from a majority of members of the Senate – the Washington Dream Act and the Reproductive Parity Act.
The Reproductive Parity Act, HB 1044, would move our state in the opposite direction of the 21 other states that have banned abortion coverage in their insurance markets, and it would do so by upholding our state’s long tradition of allowing women - not insurance companies - to make their own health care choices.
Statement on ‘Dream Act’ blame game 4/8/2013
Democratic Leader Ed Murray issued this statement today in response to Majority Leader Rodney Tom's blaming the Senate’s failure to hear or pass the Dream Act on the committee’s Democrats:
AUDIO: Over 200 supporters attend DREAM Act committee hearing 3/29/2013
A bill heard before a Senate Committee on Thursday would give the children of undocumented immigrants the opportunity to qualify for financial aid. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Statement on the passing of former Gov. Booth Gardner 3/18/2013
State Sen. Ed Murray (D-43rd), the Democratic leader in the Washington State Senate, issued the following statement today on the passing of former Gov. Booth Gardner:
Washington DREAM Act passes House, blocked in Senate 3/13/2013
Today, the House passed the Washington DREAM Act, which would help Washington’s promising, aspiring citizens attend college and continue to contribute to their communities, by a bipartisan 77-20 vote. The House amended their version of the Washington DREAM Act to match the language of legislation along the same lines proposed in the Senate, keeping the proposal alive in the Senate.
Meeting with constituents about Reproductive Parity Act 3/11/2013
The Reproductive Parity Act, which would guarantee that insurance plans that cover maternity also cover abortion services, was sent over to the Senate from the House last week. The bill was referred to the Health Care committee, whose chair openly opposes the measure and refused to grant a hearing of the Senate version of the bill. I’m glad that the House version of the bill is moving forward from the House but I remain concerned for its prospects in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Meeting with constituents on “opportunity to dance” tax 3/5/2013
This weekend, I met with some constituents about the so-called “opportunity to dance” tax.
We can work together to prevent gun violence 2/21/2013
The state Legislature can and should pass reasonable gun violence prevention reforms into law this year.
Senate Democrats have crafted a package of common-sense, common-ground proposals with the goal of reducing senseless violence - yet without raising emotions, dividing public opinion or inciting controversy.
Older Posts
Sen. Ed Murray speaks at marriage equality bill signing
News
Sen. Murray elected new majority leader 11/16/2012
Senate Democrats selected Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, as the new state Senate majority leader during a caucus meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13. Murray's colleagues elected him by acclamation; the position was uncontested.
"We have work to do in Olympia – prioritizing education, creating jobs for the middle class, and ensuring Washingtonians have the health care they need. And one of our challenges in a closely divided chamber is to ensure that the Senate is able to fulfill its obligation to govern the state, in tandem with Gov.-elect Jay Inslee and the House. These are not simple challenges, but they are solvable. We can find solutions that work for all of Washington," said Murray.
Sen. Ed Murray’s statement on decision by Republican counterpart Sen. Joe Zarelli not to seek re-election 5/21/2012
Sen. Murray, chair of the budget-writing Senate Ways & Means Committee, issued the following statement Friday, May 18, regarding the decision by the committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, not to run for re-election this year: